Is spaceport right for refuge? Yes

Published: Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 14, 2013 at 3:34 p.m.

Can lightning strike twice in the same place? Lightning struck our region's economy in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy proposed that the United States land a man on the moon.

That daring challenge brought unprecedented growth to our region. However, it also left the area vulnerable to sudden shifts of government policy, such as the downturns that followed the end of the Apollo and space shuttle programs.

Fortunately, there is a solution. A new wave of commercial aerospace companies is emerging, scouting locations to set up shop, and seeking skilled employees to hire. Florida needs to raise a lightning rod to attract this fast-growing "New Space" industry.

Shiloh, 150 acres on the border of Brevard and Volusia counties, would provide a unique facility dedicated to commercial launch outside of Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at a geographically advantageous location. A launch complex outside of the current spaceport boundary would attract major aerospace players who wish to operate their own facilities, and bring thousands of direct and indirect jobs.

Why build a new commercial launch complex when underutilized NASA and Air Force facilities might be available nearby? Launches at KSC and the cape are controlled by the military's launch range and are subject to extensive and costly federal oversight by agencies that are not particularly concerned with commercial competitiveness.

After decades of competing for international commercial launch business, Florida's share has fallen to near zero. Private launch companies need a more reliable and flexible environment. They will choose whichever location is willing to accommodate. They want the freedom to do things their way — which is, after all, the American way.

The false choice between protecting the area's diverse wildlife and the progress of aerospace enterprise is disproved by a visit to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. For decades we have successfully built and operated a world-class space hub while protecting our natural treasures.

Space programs peacefully and prosperously coexist with the environment in Florida. We have the responsibility and the talent in Florida to ensure that every precaution is taken and every concern is addressed.

The proposed spaceport would represent a tiny fraction of the wildlife refuge, only 0.1 percent. The Federal Aviation Administration will continue to license and regulate launches to protect the safety of the public.

Furthermore, the Shiloh property is not pristine. It includes fallow orange groves and housing foundations that were developed decades ago. The land was acquired by NASA at the start of the space program, not merely as a buffer but with an expectation that it might be needed for future space development.

Surrounding area closures during launch windows, familiar to us on the Space Coast, would be minimal and have less of an effect on refuge access and ecotourism than the weather. Launches also attract additional visitors and tourism dollars. Federal policies for the "adaptive reuse" of any historic sites could enhance their visibility if Shiloh were to be developed.

This is the dawning of a new era of aerospace business and Florida must remain a leader. We cannot rest on history. To remain a relevant and competitive player in the $300 billion space industry, we need to actively seek out new opportunities for Florida's workforce.

A new commercial launch site is a glowing opportunity, not just for launching rockets, but also for manufacturing and assembly facilities, supply chain providers, and research and development programs that will support the launch site in nearby communities. If this does not happen here, it will happen elsewhere.

I wasn't here when lightning struck in 1961. But I want to be here when it strikes again, so I can witness this region's economy rise once more to be the great economic engine it was 50 years ago.

Seward, of Rockledge, is a planetary scientist, space industry analyst, and president of the Florida Space Development Council.

<p class="bold allcaps">Area's ripe for economic boost of launch site</p>
<p>Can lightning strike twice in the same place? Lightning struck our region's economy in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy proposed that the United States land a man on the moon. </p><p>That daring challenge brought unprecedented growth to our region. However, it also left the area vulnerable to sudden shifts of government policy, such as the downturns that followed the end of the Apollo and space shuttle programs. </p><p>Fortunately, there is a solution. A new wave of commercial aerospace companies is emerging, scouting locations to set up shop, and seeking skilled employees to hire. Florida needs to raise a lightning rod to attract this fast-growing "New Space" industry. </p><p>Shiloh, 150 acres on the border of Brevard and Volusia counties, would provide a unique facility dedicated to commercial launch outside of Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at a geographically advantageous location. A launch complex outside of the current spaceport boundary would attract major aerospace players who wish to operate their own facilities, and bring thousands of direct and indirect jobs. </p><p>Why build a new commercial launch complex when underutilized NASA and Air Force facilities might be available nearby? Launches at KSC and the cape are controlled by the military's launch range and are subject to extensive and costly federal oversight by agencies that are not particularly concerned with commercial competitiveness. </p><p>After decades of competing for international commercial launch business, Florida's share has fallen to near zero. Private launch companies need a more reliable and flexible environment. They will choose whichever location is willing to accommodate. They want the freedom to do things their way &mdash; which is, after all, the American way. </p><p>The false choice between protecting the area's diverse wildlife and the progress of aerospace enterprise is disproved by a visit to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. For decades we have successfully built and operated a world-class space hub while protecting our natural treasures. </p><p>Space programs peacefully and prosperously coexist with the environment in Florida. We have the responsibility and the talent in Florida to ensure that every precaution is taken and every concern is addressed. </p><p>The proposed spaceport would represent a tiny fraction of the wildlife refuge, only 0.1 percent. The Federal Aviation Administration will continue to license and regulate launches to protect the safety of the public. </p><p>Furthermore, the Shiloh property is not pristine. It includes fallow orange groves and housing foundations that were developed decades ago. The land was acquired by NASA at the start of the space program, not merely as a buffer but with an expectation that it might be needed for future space development. </p><p>Surrounding area closures during launch windows, familiar to us on the Space Coast, would be minimal and have less of an effect on refuge access and ecotourism than the weather. Launches also attract additional visitors and tourism dollars. Federal policies for the "adaptive reuse" of any historic sites could enhance their visibility if Shiloh were to be developed. </p><p>This is the dawning of a new era of aerospace business and Florida must remain a leader. We cannot rest on history. To remain a relevant and competitive player in the $300 billion space industry, we need to actively seek out new opportunities for Florida's workforce. </p><p>A new commercial launch site is a glowing opportunity, not just for launching rockets, but also for manufacturing and assembly facilities, supply chain providers, and research and development programs that will support the launch site in nearby communities. If this does not happen here, it will happen elsewhere. </p><p>I wasn't here when lightning struck in 1961. But I want to be here when it strikes again, so I can witness this region's economy rise once more to be the great economic engine it was 50 years ago.</p><p><i>Seward, of Rockledge, is a planetary scientist, space industry analyst, and president of the Florida Space Development Council.</p>